On October 30, the 'Rule of Law' award ceremony took place at the UNESCO building in Paris, which this year was received by Alexei Navalny's lawyers — Vadim Kobzev*, Alexey Lipcer*, and Olga Mikhailova.
The international organization Union Internationale des Avocats awarded this prize to the Russian lawyers "in recognition of their firm and consistent commitment to defending human rights and the rule of law, despite extremely difficult circumstances, risks, and significant sacrifices in personal and professional life."
Vadim Kobzev and Alexey Lipcer are in Vladimir's detention center on charges of "participation in an extremist community." Olga Mikhailova, who is outside Russia, is a figure in the same criminal case and is arrested in absentia. At the award ceremony, she noted that this award is recognition that the international lawyer community has stood up for Alexei Navalny's lawyers.
"This award is given to Alexei Navalny's lawyers who were fulfilling their duty — defending the rights and freedoms of their client. This award is a reminder to all of us that the role of a lawyer in society is invariably important, especially when the justice system in Russia is under pressure, and the principle of the rule of law is not observed. I am very grateful to you for the solidarity shown to us, Russian lawyers. I believe that such awards inspire lawyers around the world not to be afraid to defend the interests of clients, justice, law, and democratic values," said Mikhailova.
Navalny's lawyers Olga Mikhailova, Alexander Fedulov, Vadim Kobzev, Alexey Lipcer, and Igor Sergunin* are accused of participating in an "extremist community." The investigation believes that it was through them that the opposition leader transmitted information from the colony to his associates.
Kobzev, Lipcer, and Sergunin have been under arrest since October last year. Mikhailova was on vacation in Jordan at that time and decided not to return to Russia. In February 2024, the Basmanny Court arrested her in absentia.
The international organization Union Internationale des Avocats, founded in 1927 to promote the rule of law, protect the independence and freedom of lawyers worldwide, established the Rule of Law Award in 2016 to recognize outstanding contributions to the development of the rule of law, especially within the legal community.
* Listed in Russia as "terrorists and extremists."
Photo: Olga Mikhailova's social networks